Pile elevator



2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Oct. 6, 1953 c. WIIZLIAMS PILE ELEVATOR Filed Feb. e.1948 ATTORNEY.

Patented Oct. 6, 1953 PILE ELEVATOR Leo C. Williams, Pearl River, N. Y.,assignor to Dexter Folder Company, Pearl River, N. Y., a corporation ofNew York Application February 6, 1948, Serial No. 6,781

8 Claims.

requires less erecting and assembling time, and

is fool-proof in operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved hydraulic pileelevator actuating mechanism wherein the fluid is conducted to thehydraulic cylinder to raise the pile elevator and is directed away fromsaid cylinder to lower said elevator through a single conduit, thusreducing the number of conduits to a minimum.

Another object is to provide improved hydraulic pile elevator actuatingmechanism including novelly arranged valve means for controlling thelowering of the pile elevator.

A further object is to provide improved bydraulic pile elevatoractuating mechanism having fluid supplying pump means and fluidcontrolling valve means arranged and housed in a novel manner as asingle unit and disposed Wholly within the fluid supply to insureefficiency, low manufacturing, installation and maintenance costs, andfool-proof operation.

The above and further objects and novel features of the presentinvention will more fully appear from the following detail descriptionwhen the same is read in connection with the accompanying drawings. Itis to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for thepurpose of illustration only, and are not intended as a definition ofthe limits of the invention, reference for this latter purpose being hadprimarily to the appended claims.

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters refer to like partsthroughout the several views,

Fig. l is a front elevational view of a pile e1eva tor and hydraulicallyactuated operating mech anism therefor embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view on the line 22 of Fig.1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged front elevational view, partly in section, of thecombined fluid reservoir, pump and control valve unit, shown in Figs. 1and 2, for the hydraulic pile elevator actuating mech- :anism;

Fig. is an enlarged vertical longitudinal sectional view of the fluidpump and control valve housing shown in Fig, 3; and

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary side elevation of the mechanism for manuallycontrolling the lowering of the pile elevator.

The hydraulically actuated pile elevator as herein shown and hereinafterdescribed is particularly adapted for supporting and elevating a pile ofscored and slotted corrugated or fiber container blanks to the feedin inlevel of a container stitching or taping machine, at which level saidblanks are hand folded and. hand fed one after another to said stitchingor taping machine for stitching or taping of the free ends ormanufacturers seam thereof. It is to be expressly understood, however,that said hydraulically actuated pile elevator is, as well understood inthe art, equally adaptable for use in connection with hand or automaticfeeding of all kinds and weights of sheet material such as, paper,cardboard, metal, wood, etc., to printing presses, coating andvarnishing machines, slitters, punch presses, buffing and cleaningmachines, and various other instrumentalities acting on such sheets.

Referring now to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, the pile elevator andthe hydraulically actuated operating mechanism therefor are mounted on aframe comprised by a. pair of transversely spaced L-shaped side membersindicated broadly at 5 and each preferably in the form of a flat steelplate having a vertically extending portion 6 and a horizontallyextending portion 1. The side frame members 5 are supported on themachine foundation as by brackets 8 bolted or otherwise suitably securedthereto, and connected together by a channel cross beam 9 which isbolted or otherwise suitably secured to the upright portions 6 of saidmembers near the lower ends thereof. The side frame members 5 arefurther connected together by a vertically extending metal plate [0 thatis bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the front sides of verticallyextending channel members II which, in turn, are bolted or otherwisesuitably secured to said side frame members on the inner sides thereof.Spaced rearwardly from the plate In, as by spacers l2, and bolted orother: wise suitably secured to said plate is another plate I 3 againstwhich the front side of a pile or supply of container blanks or othersheets I t bears during elevation of the same by mechanism to behereinafter described.

The pile of container blanks or other sheets I4 is supported on a pileelevator comprised by a pair of transversely spaced L-shaped sidemembers indicated broadly at I5 and each is preferably in the form of aflat steel plate having a vertically extending portion l 6 and ahorizontally extending portion ll. The elevator side members l5 areconnected together at the front and rear thereof by transverselyextending channel members 58 which are bolted or otherwise suitablysecured thereto. The channel members It have journalled therein rollersl9 on which the pile of container blanks or other sheets M may be freelymoved into proper position on the elevator.

3 Accordingly, the pile of container blanks or other sheets I4 ispreferably placed on .a pile board 29 and the latter and pile are thenrun on the elevator from either side thereof when said elevator islowered to loading position as hereinafter described. The elevator isguided for vertical movement by rollers 2| which are journalled inspaced relation on the elevator side members l5 and arranged to run inthe channel members The pile elevator and pile of container blanks orother sheets l4 thereon are intermittently raised by hydraulicallyactuated mechanism to maintain the top of the pile at a proper feedinglevel. This mechanism is preferably mounted and constructed as follows.Connected with one of the elevator side members l5 as at 22 is one endof a cable 23 which extends upwardly and forwardly around a suitablygrooved sheave 24. This sheave 26 is journalled on a pin 25 which isfixed in a block 26 and extends laterally therefrom through the adjacentchannel member H and the upright portion 6 -of the adjacent side framemember 5. The block 26 is welded or otherwise suitably secured to theupper end of an angle iron 21 which is spaced from the adjacent sideframe member 5, as by a spacer 28, and bolted or otherwise suitablysecured to the plate l9.

From the sheave 24 the cable 23 extends downwardly to the channel crossbeam 9 at which point said cable passes under and around a suitablygrooved sheave 29 through a suitable opening formed in said cross beamand into which the latter sheave projects. The sheave 29 is journalledon a pin 3|] which is secured in any suitable manner in the channelcross beam 9. From the sheave 29 the cable 23 extends transverselybeneath the channel cross beam 9 and above a horizontally arrangedhydraulic cylinder 3|, and then passes around a suitably grooved sheave32 and back to said cylinder to which the opposite free end of saidcable is then anchored in any suitable manner. The hydraulic cylinder 3|is bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the channel cross beam 9 onthe underside thereof and is provided with a hydraulically actuatedpiston rod or ram 33 projecting outwardly through one end of saidcylinder. The sheave 32 is journalled as at 34 on a yoke 35 which issecured in any suitable manner on the outwardly projecting end of thepiston rod or ram 33.

Connected with the other elevator side member i5 in the same manner ascable 23 is one end of a cable 31 which extends upwardly and forwardlyaround a suitably grooved sheave 38. This sheave 38 is journalled on apin 39 which is fixed in a block 40 and extends laterally therefromthrough the adjacent channel member H and the upright portion 6 of theadjacent side frame member 5. The block 40 is welded or otherwisesuitably secured to the upper end of an angle iron 4| which is spacedfrom the adjacent side frame member 5, as by a spacer 42, and bolted orotherwise suitably secured to the plate |0. From the sheave 38 the cable31 extends downwardly to the channel cross beam 9 at which point saidcable passes under and around a suitably grooved sheave 43. This sheave43 is journalled on a pin :34 which is secured in any suitable manner inblocks 45 that are disposed on opposite sides of said sheave and weldedor otherwise suitably secured to the channel cross beam 9.

From the sheave 43 the cable 31 extends transversely along the upperside of the channel cross beam 9 and then passes over and, around thesaid cable.

sheave 29 which is suitably grooved to also receive said cable. From thesheave 29 the cable 31 extends back over the hydraulic cylinder 3| andbeneath the channel cross beam 9, and then passes around the-sheave 32and back again to said cylinder to which the free opposite end thereofis then anchored in any suitable manner, the sheave 32 being suitablygrooved to also receive It will thus appear that when the piston rod orram 33 is hydraulically advanced toward the right as viewed in Fig. 1,corresponding movement will be imparted to the yoke 35 and sheave 32,and those portions of the cables 23 and 31 extending from the hydrauliccylinder 3| around the sheave 32 and to the sheave 29 will belengthened. This obviously shortens those portions of the cables 23 and31 between the elevator side members l5 and the sheaves 24 and 38resulting in raising of the elevator and pile I4 thereon. The piston rodor ram 33 is guided for right line movement by a pair of rods 46 whichare slidably engaged by the yoke 35 and have opposite extremitiesthereof secured on the hydraulic cylinder 3| and in a block 41 that iswelded or otherwise suitably secured to the underside of the channelcross beam 9. It is to be understood that any suitable means other thana cable connection between the piston rod or ram 33 and the elevator iscontemplated.

Delivery of fluid under pressure into the hydraulic cylinder 3| tointermittently advance the piston rod or ram 33 and therebyintermittently raise the elevator and pile of container blanks or othersheets thereon, and the release of said fluid from said cylinder topermit lowering of the elevator for loading and reloading purposes is,in accordance with the present invention, eifected and controlled byimproved pump and valve means preferably mounted, constructed, arrangedand operated as follows. Secured to the channel cross beam 9 through themedium of brackets 48 is a small platform 49 (Figs. 1 and 2) havingWelded or otherwise suitably secured thereto a receptacle or tank 50which is closed at the top thereof by a cover 5| bolted thereto. Thereceptacle or tank 59 is adapted to contain a supply of oil as indicatedat 52 (Fig. 3) which is introduced therein through a suitable opening 53formed in the cover 5| for this purpose. Connected with the cover 5|, asby a fitting 55, and communicating with the interior of the receptacleor tank 59 through a suitable opening 55 formed in said cover is one endof a conduit 56 the opposite end of which is connected with thehydraulic cylinder 3| at the left hand end thereof as viewed in Fig. 1.

Threaded in the opening 55 in cover 5|, as by a fitting 51, andcommunicating with the conduit 55 is one end of a conduit 58 (Fig. 3)which is disposed wholly within the fluid supply tank or receptacle 50.The opposite end of this conduit 58 is connected, as by a fitting 59,with the housing 60 of a combined fluid supplying pump and fluidcontrolling valve unit indicated broadly at 6| which, as herein shown,is also disposed within the tank 59 and wholly submerged in the fluid 52in said tank. The pump and valve unit 6! may be supported in variousways in the tank 59 but, as herein shown, said unit is preferably boltedor otherwise suitably secured to the lower end of 9. depending bracket52 which is secured to or formed integrally with the cover 5|. Referringnow more particularly to Fig. 4 of the drawings, the housing 50 of thepump and valve unit 6| has formed therein at one side thereof a fluidinlet port 63 which opens outwardly into the fluid supply 52 andinwardly into a cylindrical bore 64 in said housing. Slidably mounted inthe cylindrical bore ea. in housing 6t is a fluid controlling valve 65provided with a reduced portion 69 for establishing communication atcertain intervals between the port 63 and a passage 67. This passage 61is formed in the housing ti preferably in line with the port 63 andconnected with a passage 69 through a port 69. The passage 68 in housingto communicates with a chamber 76 formed by the lower end of a bushing'H fixed in a cylindrical bore '!2 in said housing, and the upper end ofa plug 13 which is threaded in said bore, said communication beingestablished through a suitable opening I4 formed in the lower end of thebushing H. Formed in the housing 66 and preferably in line with thechamber I9 is a passage 16 having one end opening into said chamber andthe opposite end closed by a plug ll. This passage 76 is connected witha passage it; through a port I9. Passage 78 has one end thereof closedby the bushing II and the opposite end opening into a cylindrical boreI65 formed in housing 6&3. This bore I65 communicates with the conduit58 through a fluid outlet port I66 formed in the end wall of housing 69and in which the fitting 59 of conduit 58 is threaded. Bore I66 alsocommunicates with the fluid supply 52 through a port I6! formed in theend wall of housing 69 below port I 66 and having threaded therein apipe fitting I68 to direct the fluid from bore E65 downwardly into thefluid supply 62, as hereinafter described.

Sildably mounted in the cylindrical bore I65 in housing 69 is a secondfluid controlling valve I69 provided with a reduced portion Ill! forestablishing communication between passage 18 and port I66 in oneposition of said valve, and between said passage, said port and port It?in another position of the valve, as hereinafter described. Valve IBQ isnormally disposed in the full line position shown in Fig. 4 which is theposition it occupies for raising of the elevator and pile of containerblanks or other sheets thereon, and when said elevator and pile are inraised position and while said blanks or other sheets are being fed fromthe top of the pile. In this position of valve I 69 it will be notedthat port It? is closed by the lower large end of said valve, and thatthe passage 18 is open only to the fluid outlet port H66 through thebore I65 and the reduced portion 5 19 of the valve. Under theseconditions fluid under pressure forced into bore I65 through passage 18,as hereinafter described, cannot return to the fluid supply 52 throughport I67, but can flow into the hydraulic cylinder BI through port I 66and conduits 58, 5'! and thereby effect actuation of piston rod or ram33 and raising of the pile elevator and pile of container blanks orother sheets thereon. Since the fluid return port I6! is normally closedor blocked by valve E69 as above described, the fluid in cylinder 3icannot return therefrom to the fluid supply 52 through said port.

Fitted for reciprocation in the bore 8b of bushing H is a plunger pump Mwhich projects upwardly through the housing and is provided on the upperend thereof with an enlarged head portion 82. The plunger pump 8! iscontinuously reciprocated by mechanism preferably mounted, constructedand operated as follows. Bolted or otherwise suitably secured to theplatform 49 is an electric motor 83 (Figs. 1, 2) connected with asuitable source of current and controlled for starting and stoppingpurposes by suitable switch means (not shown). Fixed on the armatureshaft 84 of electric motor 83 is a pulley 85 around which passes a belt86 that also passes around and drives a pulley 81. This pulley is fixedon and drives a short crank shaft 88 (Fig. 3) which extends through asuitable opening 89 formed in the rear side of the fluid supply tank orreceptacle 50, and is journalled in a suitable bearing in the dependingbracket 62. Pivotally connected as at 90 with the crank shaft 88 is theupper end of a connecting rod 9 I the lower end of which is pivotallyconnected as at 92 with the head portion 82 of the plunger pump 8|. Itwill thus appear that the plunger pump 8| through the described drivingconnections therefor with the electric motor 83 will be operatedcontinuously and raised and lowered out of and into the chamber 10during each revolution of the crank shaft 88.

Under these conditions, and with the fluid controlling valves 65 and I69raised to the full line positions thereof shown in Fig. 4, the fluid 52is intermittently drawn from the tank or receptacle 50 through the port63, bore 64, the reduced portion 66 of the valve 65, the passage 61, theport 69, the passage 68, the opening 14, and into the chamber 10. Fluidso drawn into the chamber I0 is then forced therefrom by the plungerpump 8| through the passage 16, the port 79, the passage 18, bore I65,the reduced portion I") of valve I69, the port I66, the conduits 53, 56,and into the left hand end of the hydraulic cylinder 3| (Fig. 1),resulting in Step by step movement of the piston rod or ram 33 towardthe right and intermittent raising of the pile elevator and pile ofcontainer blanks or other sheets thereon. When the fluid controllingvalve 65 is lowered to the dotted line position thereof shown in Fig. 4,said valve closes the fluid inlet port 63, thus disconnecting the fluidsupply 52 from the plunger pump 8I so that no fluid can be drawn by saidpump into the chamber I0 as described upon continued action thereof. Inthis manner the plunger pump 8| is rendered ineffective to supply fluidinto the hydraulic cylinder 3| with the result that no further upwardmovement is imparted to the pile elevator and pile of container blanksor other sheets thereon.

It will therefore be noted that through arrangement of the fluidcontrolling valve 65 between the fluid supply 52 and the plunger pump85, ray-passing of the fluid is unnecessary to enable continuousoperation of said pump without imparting raising movement to the pileelevator and pile of container blanks or other sheets thereon, therebyenabilng the use of a fluid controlling valve much simpler inconstruction and requiring less power to operate. It will further benoted that arrangement and operation of the plunger pump 8! and thefluid controlling valves 65 and I69 in the fluid supply 52 insures thatno air is drawn into the hydraulic system, eliminates packing, andprovides lubrication for said pump and said valves.

To prevent return flow of fluid from the hydraulic cylinder 3| throughthe conduits 56 and 53, bore I65, and passage I8, and consequentlydropping of the elevator and pile of container blanks or other sheetsthereon, the housing 69 has incorporated therein an upwardly openingcheck valve preferably in the form of a ball 93 (Fig. 4) which isadapted to drop and close the end of the port I9 opening into thepassage 10 when no fluid under pressure is being forced through saidport by the plunger pump 8!. The fluid previously admitted into thecylinder 3| to intermittently raise the pile elevator and pile ofcontainer blanks or other sheets thereon is then trapped therein, thusmaintaining the elevator and pile in raised position. The ball checkvalve 93 is retained in a valve cage 95 which is threaded in a suitableopening in the housing 60 and provided with a plurality of fluidpassages or ports 95.

To prevent return flow of fluid from the chamber '50, the housing 60 hasincorporated therein an upwardly opening check valve preferably in theform of a ball 96 which is adapted to drop and close the end of the port69 opening into the passage 68 on the pressure stroke of the plungerpump 85. The ball check valve is retained in a valve cage 91 which isthreaded in a suitable opening in the housing 60 and provided with aplurality of fluid passages or ports 98.

In order to guard against overloading of the pile elevator which wouldresult in breaking of the cables 23, 3'! and damage to said elevator andthe hydraulic mechanism, the plug 13 has formed therein a relief port 99(Fig. 4) having one end opening into the chamber and the opposite endopening into a passage I00 also formed in said plug. This passage I00opens into the fluid supply 52 through a tubular adjusting screw I0!threaded in plug I3. The relief port 99 is normally closed by adownwardly opening pressure relief valve disposed within the passage I00and preferably in the form of a ball I02 which is held against the port99 by a compression spring I03 interposed between said ball and theadjusting screw IOI. The tension of the spring I03 on the ball reliefvalve I02 is so regulated by the adjusting screw IOI that the fluidpressure required to effect elevation of the maximum load capable ofbeing handled on the elevator is not sufficient to cause opening of saidvalve. Should, however, the fluid pressure exceed a predetermined amountdue to overloading of the pile elevator or for any other reason, therelief valve I02 is caused to open and permit the fluid to flow from thechamber '10 back into the fluid supply 52 through the relief port 99,the passage I00 and the adjusting screw IOI, thus preventing actuationof the piston rod or ram 33 and raising of the pile elevator and pile ofcontainer blanks or other sheets thereon. The desired adjustment ofscrew IOI may be effected without removing housing 90 from the fluidsupply tank 50, and for this purpose the platform 59 is provided with asuitable opening I04 communicating with the interior of said tank andadapted to receive a screw driver or other similar tool. Opening I00 isnormally closed by a removable drain plug I04 threaded therein.

It will be noted that arrangement of the fluid controlling valves 65,I09, the plunger pump 8|, the fluid check valves 93 and 99, and thesafety pressure relief valve I02 in the housing 50 as a single unitmaterially simplifies the hydraulic system and insures low manufacturingcost and,

fool-proof operation of the hydraulic mechanism.

As hereinbefore stated, the fluid controlling valve 65 is raised andlowered to render the plunger pump 8| effective and ineffective tosupply fluid into the hydraulic cylinder 3!, and while this may beaccomplished in any suitable manner and by any suitable means for thispurpose, said operation, as herein shown, is preferably efiected byelectrically actuated means controlled by switch means responsive tovariations in the height of the pile of container blanks or other sheetson the elevator. The contacts of the switch are normally open until asufficient number of sheets have been fed from the top of the pile,whereupon the switch closes under the control of the pile to actuate theelectrical means, thereby raising the fluid controlling valve 65 andrendering the plunger pump 8| effective to supply fluid under pressureinto the hydraulic cylinder 3| to intermittently raise the elevator andpile of container blanks or other sheets thereon. Upon raising of theelevator and pile of container blanks or other sheets thereon, theswitch is again opened by the pile and opening ofthe switch controls thelowering of the fluid controlling valve 65 to render the plunger pump BIineffective to further raise the elevator and pile thereon. Saidelectrically actuated means and pile controlled switch means arepreferably mounted, constructed and operated as follows.

Bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the cover 5| of the fluidsupp-1y tank or receptacle 50 is a bracket I05 (Fig. 3) to which isbolted or otherwise suitably secured a solenoid I06 having a core I01.Pivotally connected as at I08 with the lower end of the core I0! ofsolenoid 505 is the upper end of a rod I09 which extends downwardly intothe tank or receptacle 50 through a suitable opening formed for thispurpose in the cover EI and has its lower end pivotally connected as atH0 with the upper end of the fluid controlling valve 65.

Bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the angle iron 27 near the topthereof and projecting inwardly therefrom is a square bar III (Figs. 1and 2). Engaged over and slidable along the bar I I I is a block I I2which is held a ainst displacement from said bar by a plate I I3 that isbolted or otherwise suitably secured on the upper side of said block.The block H2 and parts carried thereby hereinafter described may beadiusted along the bar III in accordance with variations in width of thecontainer blanks or other sheets being handled on the elevator and maybe secured in any desired osition of adiustment by any suitab e knownmeans. such as a thumb screw or the like threaded in block H2.

Secured in any suitable manner to the underside of block H2 is a plateH5 having a downwardly bent side portion IIG (Fig. 1). Bolted orotherwise suitably secured to plate H5 is a normally open switch II!which is of a known type having a pair of spaced stationary contactmembers and a movable contact member which is adapted to bridge saidstationary contact members and thereby complete the electrical circuitto solenoid I00. The movable contact member has connected therewith ashort actuating arm I2I which is normally biased to open circuitposition by a light pull spring I22 having one end connected with saidarm and the opposite end connected to a strip I23 secured to the casingof switch II'I.

Pivotally mounted as at I26 (Fig. 2) to swing in a vertica1 plane on theside portion H6 of plate H5 is a lever I27 having one end engaged withthe contact actuating arm I2I. Pivotally mounted at I28 on the oppositeend of lever I21 to swing in a horizontal plane is an arm I29 to whichis secured a feeler I30 that extends rearwardly and downwardly and alsoinwardly at an angle into engagement with the top of the pile ofcontainer blanks or other sheets I4 at one side and adjacent the frontthereof. Feeler I30 is yieldably held in its original angular pileengaging position by a light pull spring I3I having one end connected tolever I2! and the opposite end connected to a stop lug formed on armI29. The purpose of the double-jointed feeler I30 is to enable the sameto yield inwardly and upwardly in horizontal and vertical directionswhen handling container blanks and the opposite side portions of the topblank are folded inwardly toward each other on the pile prior to feedingof said blank into the stitching or taping machine, thus presenting nointerference to the blank folding operation.

It will be understood that the switch 1 and actuating means thereforincluding the feeler I30 may be arranged in a well-known manner tooperate on the rear of the pile I4 instead of on the front of said pileas herein shown, and that the feeler I30 may be operated atpredetermined intervals in a well known manner into and out ofengagement with the top of the pile I4. It will also be understood thatthe horizontal swinging movement of the feeler I30 and the inwardangular position of said feeler may be eliminated when the pile elevatoris employed in connection with hand or automatic feeding of containerblanks or other sheets that are not folded prior to feeding of the same,in which event the feeler I30 may be secured to or formed integrallywith the arm I27.

The solenoid I06 and one of the stationary contact members of switchII'I have connected therewith lead wires I33 and I34, respectively,which are connected with a suitable source of electric current (Fig. 2).The other stationary contact member and the solenoid I06 are connectedtogether by a wire I35 so that when the movable contact member islowered into engagement with both of the spaced stationary contactmembers the electric circuit for the solenoid I06 will be completed.

Assuming now that the top of the pile I4 is disposed at the normalfeeding level at which time the switch II! is open, the fluidcontrolling valve 65 is in its lowered dotted line position shown inFig. 4 closing the fluid inlet port 63, and the fluid controlling valveI69 is in its raised full line position. Under these conditions theplunger pump 8i idly reciprocates without pumping fluid, no upwardmovement is imparted to the elevator and pile of container blanks orother sheets thereon, and said elevator and pile are held in raisedposition as hereinbefore described. As the container blanks or othersheets are fed one after another from the top of the pile, however, thefeeler I30 will lower by gravity so that when a sufiicient number ofsaid blanks or sheets have been so fed, switch III will be closed, thuscompleting the electric circuit for the solenoid I06. The solenoid I06is then energized and draws the core I07 upwardly, thereby raising thefluid controlling valve 65 to the full line position thereof shown inFig. 4. Under these conditions the fluid inlet port 63 is opened, andupon continued reciprocation of the plunger pump 8| fluid is drawn fromthe supply 52 and delivered under pressure into the hydraulic cylinder3| as hereinbefore described, thus raising the elevator and pile ofcontainer blanks or other sheets thereon.

As the pile thus raises, the feeler I30 engaged with the top of the pilealso raises causing switch Hi to open. Opening of the switch II'Ide-energizes the solenoid I06 whereupon the fluid con- 10 trolling valve65 drops such as by gravity to the dotted line position thereof shown inFig. 4, thus again closing the fluid inlet port 63 and rendering theplunger pump 8| ineffective as hereinbefore described to further raisethe elevator and pile of container blanks or other sheets thereon.

Lowering of the fluid controlling valve 65 as aforesaid to stop furtherraising of the elevator and pile of container blanks or other sheetsthereon is delayed or retarded so that, upon opening of the switch I I1, raising of the elevator will not be directly stopped but, on thecontrary, will continue to raise the pile an amount sufficient to enablefeeding of a number of blanks or sheets from the top thereof beforeraising of the elevator and said pile is again necessary. In this mannerthe pile is raised to the normal feeding range upon a single operatio ofthe switch I I1, whereas the switch would otherwise operate for eachsheet particularly if they are relatively thick, thus eliminatingfrequent operations of said switch, preventing excessive wear of thesame and frequent repairs or replacements thereto.

The feeler I30 and its associated devices switch I", solenoid I06, andfluid controlling valve 65 constitute supply control means and variousways and means may be employed in connection with any part thereof todelay or retard the operation of the same whereby delay i the loweringmovement of the fluid controlling valve 65 is effected. Preferably, suchdelaying means is associated with the fluid controlling valve 65 andpreferably too is effected by fluid means which may be constructed andarranged as follows. Formed in the housing at the side thereof havingthe fluid inlet port 63 and spaced from said port is a restricted portI36 (Fig. 4) having one end opening into the fluid supply 52 and theopposite end opening into the bore 64. The bore 64 is closed at thelower end thereof by a plug I31 having an open ended port I38 thereincommunicating with the fluid supply 52 and with said bore. The port I38is normally closed by an upwardly opening check valve preferably in theform of a ball I39. The lower end of the fluid controlling Valve iscountersunk as at I40 to receive the ball I39 when said valve islowered.

It will thus appear that when the fluid controlling valve 65 is raisedto effect raising of the elevator and pile of container blanks or othersheets thereon as hereinbefore described; said raising of said valvecreates vacuum in the lower end of the bore 64 whereupon the ball checkvalve I39 is raised by the fluid pressure on the underside thereof, thuspermitting th fluid 52 to flow into said bore through the port I38. Whenthe switch H1 is opened as hereinbefore described, and the fluidcontrolling valve 65 begins to drop by gravity, at which time the portI38 is again closed through dropping of the ball check valve I39, thefluid previously admitted into the bore 64 must be forced therefrom bythe fluid controlling valve 65 throughthe restricted port I36 and backinto the supply 52 before said valve can drop to the dotted lineposition thereof shown in Fig. 4, thus materially retarding or delayingthe lowering movement of the fluid controlling valve 65.

When the pile of container blanks or other sheets is exhausted throughintermittent raising of the elevator and feeding of said blanks orsheets One after another therefrom, the elevator may be quickly loweredto th machine foundation to receive a new pile of blanks or othersheets. This lowering of the elevator is under the control of the fluidcontrolling valve I69 and is effected by simply lowering said valve fromits normal full line position to its broken line position shown in Fig.4:. As herein shown, valve I69 is manually raised and lowered bymechanism constructed and mounted as follows. Bolted or otherwisesuitably secured to the channel members II on the tops thereof areblocks HII (Figs. 1 and 2) in which is journalled opposite extremitiesof a transversely extending rock shaft I62 having fixed thereon a handleI43. Fixed on one end of the rock shaft I42 is an arm I46 havingpivotally connected therewith as at I45 the upper end of a rod I46 thelower end of which is pivotally connected as at I61 (Fig. with an armI68. This arm I48 is fixed on a transversely extending rock shaft I69having one end thereof extending through a suitable opening formed inone of the side frame members 5 and journalled in a suitabl bearing in abracket I 56 that is bolted or otherwise suitably secured to said sideframe member.

The opposite end of shaft I49 is journalled in a suitable bearingprovided in a bracket I5I which is bolted or otherwise suitably securedto the cover 5| of the fluid supply tank or receptacle 50. Secured toshaft I49 adjacent bracket I5I is an arm I52 to the free end of which ispivotally connected the upper end of a connecting rod I53 that extendsdownwardly into the tank or receptacle 56 through a suitable openingformed in the cover 5|. The lower end of rod I53 is pivotally connectedas at I59 to the upper end of the fluid controlling valve I69. Rockingmovement of shaft I49 in opposite directions to raise and lower valveI69 is limited by stop screws I55 and I56 which are engaged by arm I68and are adjustably threaded in the adjacent side frame member 5 and thebracket I56, respectively.

'While the container blanks or other sheets are fed from the top of thepile and intermittent raising of the elevator and said pile is effectedby the plunger pump 8|, the handle I 33 is disposed in the raisedposition thereof shown in Fig. 2, and the arm I 63 is disposed inengagement with thestop screw I55 (Fig. 5). Under these conditions thevalve I69 is raised to the full line position shown in Fig. 4 so thatthe fluid forced into bore .I65 by the plunger pump 8I will flow intothe hydraulic cylinder 9I and thereby effect raising of the elevator andpile of container blanks or other sheets thereon as hereinbeforedescribed. When the pile of container blanks or other sheets isexhausted, however, the elevatormay be quickly lowered to the machinefoundation by moving the handle I43 downwardly (Fig. 2) until the arm M6through the described connections therefor with said handle is raisedinto .engagement with the stop screw I56, thus rocking the shaft I49 andlowering valve I69 to the broken line position shown in Fig. 4,whereupon the fluid outlet passage 18 and the fluid outlet port I66 areconnected with the fluid supply'52 through the bore I65, the reducedportion I of valve I69 and the fluid return port I61. Under theseconditions the fluid in the hydraulic cylinder 3I is released and theelevator drops by gravity to the machine foundation. As the elevatorthus drops by gravity, the fluid in the hydraulic cylinder.3I is forcedtherefrom back into the tank or receptacle 50 through the conduits 56,58, the port I66, the housing 60 and the port I61, the resistancecreated by the fluid in passing through said conduits, said ports and.said

housing controllingthe rapidity'of the downward I or other sheets isbeing loaded thereon. It will be understood that when the elevator islowered to the machine foundation for loading or reloading purposesthe-plunger pump 8I may be stopped by stopping the electric motor 83 inthe usual manner. 7

The elevator having been lowered to the ma.- chine foundation and a newpile of container blanks or other sheets having been properly loadedthereon in the usual manner from either side thereof, said elevator andthe new pile are then raised until the top of said pile is brought intoproper position for feeding of the blanks or other sheets one afteranother therefrom. For this purpose, the handle I43 is again raised toits normal position (Fig. 2) to lower the rod I46 and arm I48 until thelatter engages the stop screw I55, thus rocking the shaft I49. in the.op-. posite direction and again raising .valve I69 to the full lineposition shown in Fig. 4. Thereupon, the fluid return port I61 inhousing 66 is again closed by valve I69, and the fluid forced intothe-bore I65 by .plunger pump 8| will flow therefrom into the hydrauliccylinder SI as hereinbefore described and effect raising of the -ele-.-vator and the new .pile of containerblanks or othersheets thereon untilthe top of .said pile reaches the normal-feeding level.

As the new pile thus raises, the top of said pile engages and raises thefeeler I30, thereby opening the switch H1. The fluid controlling valve65 then drops slowly by gravity as .hereinbefore described, during whichtime raising of the elevator and pile continues until the top of thepile reaches the normal feeding level, whereupon the fluid inlet port 66is again closed by said valve and the elevator is stopped. Feeding ofthe container blanks or other sheets one after another from the top ofthe new pile .may now be resumed and continued through intermittentraising of the elevator and pile controlled by the feeler I36. Thefolded container blanks are fed one after another into the stitching ortaping machine over an upwardlyandforwardly extending plate I59 whichforms part of said machine.

.If desired, .the fluid controlling valve I69, like the fluidcontrolling .valve 6.5, may be electrically operated-by a solenoidsimilar .to .the solenoid I66 and controlled by a suitable push buttonswitch conveniently placed on the floor or on the machine =frame forfootor hand operation :by the operator.

It will be apparent that-should the switch -I I1, for any reason, failto render the plunger purnp 8.I ineffective through the'described meansfor this purpose when the pileof container blanks orother sheets iscompletely exhausted, the hydraulic mechanism, if allowed to continueinoperation, would raise the elevator beyond the nor mal-feedinglevel andcause damage to the. switch I I1 and component parts thereof, .and also1105-.

sible damage to the hydraulic mechanism. Means is, therefore, providedindependent of the switch I I7 to stop the elevator when said elevatorreaches a predetermined elevated position. Said means stops the plungerpump BI, and, as herein shown, is preferably comprised by a normallyclosed switch I60 (Fig. 1) which is arranged in a well known manner inthe electric circuit for the electric motor 83. This switch IE is boltedor otherwise suitably secured to one of the channel members ll near thetop thereof and is provided with an actuating arm |6| that extends intothe path of upward movement of one of the elevator side members l5 (Fig.2). The switch I60 is so located on the channel member H that the arml6! thereof will be engaged by the elevator side member before theelevator is raised an amount sufficient to cause damage to the switch H1and possible damage to the hydraulic mechanism.

It will thus appear that should the switch I ll, for any reason, fail torender the plunger pump 8| ineffective through the discribed means forthis purpose, the elevator upon continued upward movement thereof willengage and raise the arm I6! of switch I 60 and thus open said switch.Opening of the switch I59 breaks the circuit to the electric motor 33,thus stopping said motor and further operation of the plunger pump 8!thereby. Stopping of the plunger pump 8! throws the hydraulic mechanismout of operation and prevents further raising of the elevator. When theelevator is rapidly lowered as hereinbefore described to reload it witha pile of container blanks or other sheets, the arm E6! of switch IE8returns to its original position and closes said switch, thus againstarting the motor 83 to enable raising of the elevator and new pile ofcontainer blanks or other sheets thereon as hereinbefore described.

It will be noted that the cover 51 for the tank or receptacle 58supports the pump and valve unit 6!, the pump operating mechanism, thecheck and relief valves 93, 96, N32, the solenoid I06, the bracket l5!and the conduits 56 and 58, all of which may be bench assembled, thusreducing elevator erecting time.

It will further be noted that by virtue of the novel arrangement of thefluid controlling valve !69 with respect to the pump 8| and thehydraulic cylinder 3|, and the mounting of said valve in the housing 69together with said pump and the fluid controlling valve 55, a singleconduit is only required to conduct the fluid to the cylinder and todirect said fluid away from said cylinder, thus eliminating the use ofseparate return flow conduits, and th various operating and controlmembers of the hydraulic system are contained in a single and simplecompact unit which requires less space and may be located relativelyclose to the hydraulic cylinder, thus further simplifying theconstruction and operation of the hydraulic pile elevator actuatingmechanism.

The present description and its accompanying drawings set forth withmore or less particularity one embodiment of the present invention, butit is to be expressly understood that said invention is not limited tosaid embodiment or otherwise than by the terms of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In apparatus of the type having means for supporting a pile of sheetsto be fed one after another from the top thereof, and hydraulicmechanism including a cylinder for elevating said 14 pile supportingmeans, the combination of a re ceptacle adapted to contain a supply offluid, pump means in said receptacle for supplying said fluid into saidcylinder, valve means in said receptacle and submerged in the fluidtherein, said valve means being movable to one position to enabledelivery of said fluid into said cylinder by said pump means and movableto another position to interrupt said delivery of said fluid into saidcylinder, pile engaged means controlling the operation of said valvemeans, other valve means in said receptacle and submerged in the fluidtherein, said other valve means being movable to one position to permitsaid delivery of said fluid under pressure into said cylinder andmovable to another position to simultaneously connect both said cylinderand said pump means with said fluid supply, and means for moving saidother valve.

means.

2. In apparatus of the type having means for supporting a pile of sheetsto be fed one afteranother from the top thereof, and hydraulic:mechanism including a cylinder for raising said. pile supporting means,the combination of a receptacle adapted to contain a supply of fluid, a.housing in said receptacle and wholly submerged, in the fluid therein, acontinuously reciprocating plunger pump in said housing for supplyingfluid. from said fluid supply through said housing and into saidcylinder, a valve in said housing and. disposed between said pump andsaid cylinder,. said valve being movable to one position to permit saidpump to supply said fluid under pres-- sure into said cylinder andmovable to another position to permit return flow of fluid simu1-taneously from both said cylinder and said pump to said fluid supply,means for operating said. valve, and a check valve in said housingbetween. said pump and said first-named valve.

3. In apparatus of the type having means for supporting a pile of sheetsto be fed one after an-- other from the top thereof, and hydraulic mechanism including a cylinder for raising said pile: supporting means, thecombination of a receptacle adapted to contain a supply of fluid, ahousing in said receptacle and wholly submerged in the fluid therein, acontinuously reciprocating plunger pump in said housing for supplyingfluid from said fluid supply through said housing and into saidcylinder, a pile controlled first valve in said housing between saidpump and said fluid supply and movable to connect the latter with anddisconnect the same from said pump, a checlc valve in the housingbetween said first valve and said pump, a second valve in said housingbetween said pump and said cylinder, said second valve being movable toone position to permit said pump to supply said fluid under pressureinto said cylinder and movable to another position to permit return flowof fluid simultaneously from both said pump and said cylinder throughsaid housing into said fluid supply, means for operating said secondvalve, and a check valve in said housing between said pump and saidsecond valve.

i. In apparatus of the type having means for supporting a pile of sheetsto be fed one after another from the top thereof, and hydraulicmechanism including a cylinder for raising said pile supporting means,the combination of a receptacle adapted to contain a supply of fluid, acover for said receptacle, a housing carried by said cover and whollysubmerged in the fluid in said receptacle, a plunger pump in the housingfor supplying fluid from said fluid supply through said housing and intosaid cylinder, driven means,

' therein, said housing; having a onsaid cover for 'continuousl-yreciprocating. said. plunger pump, a first valve in saidhousmg be tweensaid pumpand saidfluid supplyand moi".-

able to connect the latter. withand. disconnectv the samefrom said pump,pile controlledmeans on said cover controlling the operation of said.

first, valve, a second valve in said housing between said pump andsaid-cylinder, said second valve being movabl to one position to permitsaid pumpto supply said fluid under pressure into said cylinder andmovable to-another position .to permit return flow both sa d pump, ndhousing into said fluid supply, and means on said cover for operatingsaid second valve,

5. In apparatus of the type having means .for

supporting a pile of sheets vto be fed one after another from the topthereof, and hydraulic mechanism including a cylinder for raising saidpile supporting means, apump and valve assembly comprising; a.receptacle adapted to contain a supply of fluid, ,a housing in saidreceptacle andwholly submerged in the fluid fluid inlet port, a fluidoutlet port and a fluid return port, a plunger pump in the housing andcontinuously reciprocated. to draw fluid from said:

supply into said housing. through said inlet port andforce said fluidtherefrom into said 'cylinderthrough said outlet port and into saidfluidsupply throughsaidreturn port, a valve in said housing and.disposed between said plunger pump. and .said fluid outlet andreturnports, said valve being movable to one position to close said. returnport and connect said pump with said outlet port, thereby causing saidfluid mechanismincludinga cylinder for raising saidvpilesupportingimeans, a pump and valve as-. sembly comprising,areceptacle adapted to contain asupply of fluid, a housing in said.receptacle andwholly submerged in the fluid therein, said housing having afluid inlet port, a fluid outlet port and a fluid return. port, aplunger pump in said housing. and continuously reciproe cated to drawfluid from said fluid supply into said housing through said inlet portand force said fluid therefrominto said cylinder through said outletport and into said fluid supply through said return port, a pilecontrolled valve in said housing and disposed between said plunger pumpand said fluid inlet port and reciprocal to, connect the latter with anddisconnect the same from said pump, a second valve in said housing anddisposed between said plunger pump and saidfluid outlet and returnports, said second valve-being movable to one position to connect saidplunger pump with said fluid outlet port andmovable to another positionto simultaneously connect said outlet port and said plunger 1 pump withsaid return port, means for moving said second valve, and check valvesin said housof fluid simultaneously from said cylinder through said ing.and-v disposed betweensaid-pile controlled valvev and. saidplunger umpandbetween the latter'andsaid secondvalve. I s

'7. In apparatusof. the type having meansfor supporting a pile of.sheets.to be fed one after another. from the top thereof, and hydraulicmechanism including a cylinder for raising-said pile supporting means, apump and valve assembly. comprising, a-receptacle adapted to con- .taina supply of fluid,- a housing in said'receptacle andwhollysubmerged inthe fluid there-- in,..said. housing having a fluid inlet-port, a fluid;

outlet port. and'a fluid-return port, a plunger pump in said housing andcontinuously reciprocated. to-draw fluid from said fluid supply intosaid housing through said inlet port and force said. fluidtherefroininto said cylinder through said outlet port and into saidfluid supply through-said return port, a pile controlled valvein said.housing and disposed between said plunger pump and said fluid inlet portand reciprocal to connect the latter with and disconnect the same fromsaid pump, a second valve in. said housing and disposed betweensaidplunger pump and said fluid outlet and return ports, saidsecondvalve being movable to oneposition to connect said plunger pumpwith said fluid outlet port and movable to another position tosimultaneously connect said outlet port and said plunger pump with saidreturn port, means for moving saidsecond valve; check valves in saidhousingand disposed betweensaid pile controlled valveand'said plungerpump and between the latter and said second valve,

and a pressure responsive relief valve in the housing. and disposedbetween the plunger pump and said fluid outlet port.

8. In apparatusofthe-type havi-ng'means forsupporting a pile of sheetstobe fed one after another from the top thereof, and hydraulic mechanismincludinga cylinder for raisingsaid pile supporting means, thecombination of a receptacle adapted to contain a supply of fluid,ahousing in said receptacle and wholly submerged in the fluid therein,said housing having a fluid inlet port and two relatively spacedoutletports, a conduit connected with said cylinder and'with one of saidoutlet ports, a plunger pump in said housing and reciprocated'to drawfluid from said fluid supply into said-housing through said inletportand force said fluid therefrom into said cylinder through said conduit,a slide valve in said housing and'disposed between said plungerpump andsaid outlet ports,said valve beingmovable to one position to-connectsaid plunger pump with said conduit and to close'the otherof-said-outletports and movable to another position'to connect both said outlet portsand said conduit with'said fluid supply, means for'moving saidvalve, anda check valve in-said h0u's'-= ing and disposed etween said plunger pumpand said slide valve;

LEO c. WILLIAMS. 1

References Cited in the flle of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 2,247,466 Baker et al July 1, 1941 2,295,948 Henry Sept. 15,1942 2,362,853 Spiller Nov. 14, 1944 2,435,915 Williams Feb. 10, 1948

